Rochester Copperheads Book 2: Spectrum & Smoke by RJ Scott & VL Locey

 

Rochester Copperheads Book 2

One firefighter. One hockey player. One slow-burn relationship neither of them planned for.

Russell “Chip” Cornish plays hockey the way his brain works best—in angles and patterns, with rules he can trust. Off the ice, the world is harder. He sticks to his routines, relies on his assistance dog Sable, and keeps most people at arm’s length. When a fire guts his gym, and the firefighter who carries him out turns out to be impossible to forget, Chip finds himself doing something he’s never been good at—letting someone in.

Dane Rourke didn’t plan on remembering the man he pulled from that fire. He didn’t plan on the cupcakes, or the hockey game, or the slow accumulation of evenings that started meaning more than they should. Getting involved with someone he rescued is the kind of thing that ends careers, and Dane knows it. What he doesn’t know is how to stop.

Spectrum & Smoke is a steamy, slow-burn MM hockey romance featuring neurodivergent rep, an assistance dog who steals every scene she’s in, opposites attract, and a love story that goes all the way to Game Seven.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252256811-spectrum-and-smoke

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

Chip likes his routines. Whether it’s on the ice playing hockey or just in everyday life. And while being autistic is easier to manage in some parts of his life, doesn’t mean it is perfect. Sometimes it takes him a bit to read people and having his service dog, Sable, is great when his anxiety is up. But making connections with people can be a little harder at times. Trusting someone enough to let them in and have a relationship. But really, he just needed to find the right person. The moment Chip meets Dane, he knows something is different. And it’s not because Dane is a firefighter who saved him. It’s so much more. Chip wants to get to know Dane. Dane knows that getting involved with someone he rescued could be disastrous for himself and for his career. But the more they see one another, the more they take the time to get to know one another, the more Dane realizes that Chip is someone he could fall for. Hard. Easily. Chip will be worth any repercussions if those at his work disagree, but Dane can’t let Chip go without a fight. These two were super sweet! I loved getting to know them and watching their relationship blossom. They just fit together so well and it was clear how much they liked one another from the start. I’m really liking this series so far and I can’t wait for the next one!

St. Jude’s Medical Book 1: Bedside Manner by CG Macington

 

St. Jude’s Medical Book 1

An enemies-to-lovers MM medical romance where opposites attract… and combustion is inevitable.

Dr. Maxwell York has a protocol for everything. As Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Max is a man of precision. He likes his coffee at exactly 180 degrees, his office silent, and his life sterile. They call him the "Ice King," and he has no intention of melting.

Dr. Jax O'Connell is a disaster waiting to happen. The Head of Trauma is Max's exact opposite. A former combat surgeon who drives a mud-splattered Jeep, blasts AC/DC in the OR, and treats rules as mild suggestions. To Jax, medicine is warfare, and he's the "Trauma Cowboy" leading the charge.

Oil, meet water. When a hospital merger forces their departments together, Max and Jax are shoved into a shared office. A single strip of blue painter's tape on the floor is the only thing separating Max's pristine order from Jax's beautiful chaos.

Max wants him gone. Jax wants to see exactly how far he can push before the Ice King cracks.

But as the pressure mounts, the friction between them sparks into something neither can control. Max is realizing that chaos might be the one thing his life has been missing. And Jax? He's discovering that the Ice King burns hotter than anyone he's ever known.

Sometimes the only cure is a little... Bedside Manner.

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy with serious heat. Perfect for readers who love sharp banter, slow-burn tension, and two stubborn doctors who are the last to realize what everyone else already sees.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246073150-bedside-manner

********

My Review: 4/5 Stars

Max likes order. Especially for a doctor who is the chief of Cardiothoracic surgery. He may be known as the “Ice King” at the hospital, but no one can argue that he is the best at what he does. But when a hospital merger forces his department with the Trauma department. Well, things get interesting. He is now sharing an office with Jax. Head of Trauma and chaos incarnate. A veteran who works best in Trauma thanks to his experience and quick thinking. They are opposites in every single way. But working together? They actually make a good team. Doesn’t mean there isn’t friction though. But that friction is slowly sparking into something else entirely. And it’s only a matter of time before these two act on it. I really loved this story! So much humor in it. These two had great banter then throw in Max’s family. Oh man, Max’s dad along is hysterical. I’m so glad we have another two books in this series. But I really loved Max and Jax’s dynamic. Opposites attract for these two and they were so cute as they fell hard for one another. Just a fun story all around and I can’t wait for more! 

Empire of Sins Book 1: Violent Devotion by L. Norell

 

Empire of Sins Book 1

Executioner. Monster. Butcher. 

Nothing Alexei Avrorin hasn’t been called before. Born into Russia’s oldest and deadliest mafia family, now its most ruthless enforcer, Alexei has become numb, disillusioned. When a simple job goes sideways, he meets Kelly Mackey, who unexpectedly and discreetly saves his life instead of turning him in.

Unable to forget the guarded veterinarian who showed him compassion he didn’t deserve, Alexei watches him from afar. As his obsession grows, so does his certainty that Kelly has dangerous secrets buried deep. And Alexei won’t stop until he uncovers every single one.

Despite Alexei’s sexuality being a death sentence in his world, Kelly awakens something in him that he’s spent his entire life suppressing. Their connection may be forbidden, deadly, but by the time they let down their walls, escape is no longer an option.

Violent Devotion is L. Norell’s debut novel and the first in The Empire of Sins series—dark MM mafia romances where each Avrorin brother gets his own interconnected story. Come for the darkness and the forbidden, stay for the dark humor, shocking reveals, and a steamy romance with a guaranteed HEA.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/245042737-violent-devotion

********

My Review: 4/5 Stars

Alexei knows his role in his Russian mafia family. And he knows the consequences of not staying in line. Something that never mattered to him until now. But when a job goes sideways and he finds himself at a vet clinic in the middle of the night, well that moment changes everything. He never expects Kelly. The sweet and guarded veterinarian who instead of calling the cops on Alexei, helps him instead. Alexei doesn’t realize what the feeling building inside him in until it’s too late. Everything he has been burying inside him, bursts to the surface. He knows what will happen to him if anyone finds out he has fallen for another man. But he doesn’t care. He’ll fight for Kelly. Kelly has been abused plenty in his life. Trusting anyone is not possible. Not when his ex still haunts him and is just around the corner ready to hurt him more. Kelly knows he should be afraid of Alexei, especially with how they met. So how come instead of fear, he feels safe? Safer than he has ever been. He knows Alexei is a dangerous man, but he isn’t a danger to Kelly and that means everything. A nice start to this series. I really liked getting to know Alexei and Kelly. And I loved Alexei’s crazy brothers. I think we are going to have very interesting stories as each of them get their own book. A dark mafia mm romance that does not hold back!

Stonefire Dragons Universe Book 5: Protecting Seahaven by Jessie Donovan

 

Stonefire Dragons Universe Book 5

When Dr. Emily Davies is invited to visit Clan Seahaven in Scotland, she jumps at the chance to get away from Stonefire and her heartbreak at Trahern Lewis mating someone else. However, as soon as she arrives, their head of security starts barking orders and riling her up. Determined to ignore him, she focuses on her research. However, when she learns the dragon hunters have a bounty on her head, she has no choice but to pose as the irritating dragonman’s girlfriend for her protection. She moves in with him, and the more time they spend together, the more she sees a different side to him. Regardless, Emily is determined to protect her heart, no matter how much she wishes for someone to simply want her.

Cameron Alexander is protective of his clan, especially since they were banished from Clan Lochguard years ago for having human mates or parents. With his team on high alert because of recent dragon hunter sightings, the last thing he wants to do is protect an outsider. However, once he learns his enemy wants to kidnap her, he has no choice but to amp up security and pose as her pretend boyfriend. What he didn’t expect was to feel a pull toward her and want to win her for real.

As the two dance around each other, danger strikes and it’s up to Emily to rescue Cam. Will she be able to use her knowledge to save him? Or, will the dragon hunters win and steal the dragonman she wants a future with?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/253723261-protecting-seahaven

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

When Emily gets an invitation to Clan Seahaven to continue her research to help dragons against the dragon hunters, she jumps at the chance. Partly because her research is everything to her, but another part is to run away. There was a time she had hoped her best friend had feelings for her became clear he did not when he mates someone else. She needs a little space. And she is quickly distracted when Seahaven’s head Protector is quick to rile her up. He sparks something in her she didn’t realize she was missing. But she won’t let his attitude stop her from doing her job. But when she learns that the dragon hunters have a bounty on her head, Cam is there to protect her. And it leads they to posing as a fake couple in order to protect her at all times. But it isn’t long until fake dating starts to feel so much more real. For Cam, he has been wary of human women given his past. And he isn’t looking for a mate. But being around Emily slowly chips away his former feelings. Because seeing who she is? How can he not develop feelings for a woman like her. But danger is still around the corner and he will do whatever it takes to protect Emily. Loved this story! These two were fun to watch them banter. Both have been hurt in the past and it was nice to see them heal together and find a partner in one another. It’s always fun being back in this world, and it was just another great addition to the universe as a whole!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Evergreen University Book 1: Blitz’d by Lee McCormick & RS McKenzie

 

Evergreen University Book 1

Zander

Kissing my rival shouldn’t have felt so good.

Finding out my girlfriend has been cheating on me for months makes me do something crazy: kiss my rival to make her jealous. I wasn’t supposed to like kissing Kerian Slade. He’s a psycho who demands things of me…things I shouldn’t want. But there’s something about Kerian that draws me in, and now that I’m caught in his web, he won’t let me go.

Kerian

The number one rule: don’t care about people.

Caring is a distraction, and emotions are messy… and messy is something I hate. Which is why I’m confused when the messiest player I’ve ever met—my rival—kisses me and turns my world on its head. Zander Braithe is sweet, emotional, and straight. That doesn’t stop him from coming back for more, and that doesn’t stop me from realizing I’ll burn the world down to make him mine.

Blitz'd is a dark themed MM romance between two rival football quarterbacks and a kiss that changes everything. It contains high heat, unexpected sweetness and a possessive quarterback that thinks stalking is a love language and a NFL hopeful that wants to love him despite his initial misgivings.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223399381-blitz-d

********

My Review: 4/5 Stars

When Zander finds out his girlfriend has been cheating on him for months with one of his teammates right before their game against their rival school, he may do something a bit impulsive. Like kiss his biggest rival, the opposing quarterback. The kiss was just to make his now ex-girlfriend jealous. It wasn’t supposed to be the best kiss of his life. Or spark something in Kerian either. Because Kerian won’t let him go now. Now after that. And turns out, Zander doesn’t mind one bit. Kerian keeps everyone at a distance. But the moment Zander kisses him, he knows he is in trouble. And for someone like him, he can’t walk away that easily. Zander is his now and he won’t let him go. I really enjoyed this darker mm romance. I loved that Zander at first may have been confused to his reaction to Kerian but it doesn’t take him long to accept himself and realize that his feelings for Kerian are real. He puts his whole heart into it. And Kerian needs someone like that. And Kerian is definitely that bit of crazy, little violent, but super protective of those he calls his. And there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Zander. A good story all around!

Storm Season Book 1: Don’t Fall by EM Lindsey

 

Storm Season Book 1

That’s it. My neighbor has to die. There’s no other way around it. The man must be killed—and I’ll even find a way to do it gently, but this cannot go on.

Okay, maybe I’m a bit dramatic, but living next to my brother’s best friend who decided to befriend crows who spend all week spreading garbage across my lawn is not I signed up for.

I wanted quiet.

I wanted peace.

I wanted to stop fantasizing about the gorgeous man I couldn’t stand.

Unfortunately for me, North is a big presence with an annoyingly sunny smile and a way of making life sound like it’s worth living. And as a widower who wants to spend the rest of my life wallowing, the last person I want around is one who makes me question my new life’s purpose.

But these feelings can’t be real, can they? I had my great love, and I lost him. So that’s supposed to be it for me.

Isn’t that the way things go?

I can’t seem to stay away from North, even when I know I should. And when he starts to make me feel like maybe there’s another happily ever after out there, I find that as cautious as I’ve taken each step, I’m on the verge of falling once more.

Don’t Fall is the first book in the small town, enemies to lovers, heavy yearning, MM romance series, Storm Season. It features a virgin EMT whose smile is hiding a lot of things, a disgruntled, grieving writer who just wants solid sleep and a good meal, neighborhood crows wreaking havoc, cooking lessons, hurt/comfort, and a toe-curling happily ever after.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250603341-don-t-fall

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

North has spent most of his life trying to take care of his family. He has scars, physical and emotional, to show just how much he has been through. Working at the fire station was never his dream. But it gave him a steady career to take care of him mom and sisters after everything his stepdad put them through. And the guys at the station mean everything to him as well and he finds himself taking care of them when he can. But even he can admit he gets lonely. And the one guy who sparks something in him, is the same guy North keeps putting his foot in his mouth about. Leo. His best friend’s younger brother. Leo has his own set of trauma. Him and his husband were in a horrible accident six years ago that resulted in Leo’s husband’s death, and many physical damages to Leo as well. Especially when it involves his brain and he can get seizures. He thought moving into a house he liked near his brother would not only give him space but show he can be independent. Except when he learns North is his neighbor, he is anything but happy. Turns out, these two have quite the misunderstandings about one another. And what they think is hate is anything but. And when they finally talk and acknowledge the attraction brewing between them, well it might be the thing that both have been looking for all along. Absolutely loved this story! A great start to this series which included a bunch of characters I desperately want books for. I really loved getting to know North and Leo. Both have been through quite a lot. And while their traumas are different, they also do understand one another at the same time. It was sweet for them to finally get out of their own way and find the happiness they both more than deserve. Really can’t wait to see what book two brings us!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

False Start by Regina Kyle

 

When the race ends, the real heat begins.

Kip Carmichael knows exactly how this is supposed to do the job, keep it professional, don’t get attached. Especially not to someone like Hutch.

Tire gunner, menace, walking bad decision.

He’s grease-streaked hands and a crooked grin, the kind of guy who says whatever he wants and somehow gets away with it. The kind of guy Kip definitely doesn’t have time for.

Until a grounded flight and a spectacular run of bad luck strand them together somewhere in rural Germany with one run-down van, two beds (barely), and way too many hours to kill.

Somewhere between missed exits, questionable motels, and songs neither of them will admit to liking, the lines start to blur. What was supposed to be temporary starts to feel … not.

Which is a problem.

Because the paddock has eyes. Because Kip has rules. Because Hutch doesn’t do careful, and Kip doesn’t do this.

But the thing about bad decisions?

Sometimes they’re the only ones that feel right.

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

Kip likes to be organized and know exactly what is coming next. Kind of has to be considering his job. So when him and Hutch get stuck together in a round of bad luck on their way to their next destination for work, well he is barely hanging on by a thread. Especially when Hutch is his opposite. Goes with the flow and easily adapts to every situation. And as much as Hutch may infuriate Kip…he is also very attracted to Hutch. Being in close quarters with one another gives them a chance to get to know one another more. And maybe, opposites really do attract. This was a cute novella set in the Faster world! I loved Kip and Hutch’s dynamic. They had great chemistry and banter. And despite being pretty different, they actually balanced one another really well. A fun story all around!